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Smarty Plants Question Topics
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| Problem with Adding 5 inches of Mulch and Soil Under Juniper July 03, 2016 My landscaper added about 3" of mulch and 2" of dirt under my ashe junipers to create a planting bed. Several have turned gold/yellowish this winter including a female tree. They are still flexible an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought-Tolerant Plants for Arizona July 16, 2015 Slowly turning south-facing lawn to drought-tolerant plantings with gravel paths. Mature Ponderosa and several blue spruce and junipers surround area. Grass area I'm converting with a few larger tr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Removal of Ashe juniper trees April 19, 2015 I have 15 acres with scattered huge oak and elm trees with tens of thousands of Ashe Juniper (cedar) trees 2” to 10” in diameter growing within the drip zone of the hardwoods. How do I take out the c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen Trees for Low Maintenance Screen April 18, 2015 We live in Pacifica, CA and are looking to plant a row of low maintenance trees in our back yard along our fence, that grow to be a maximum of 15' high, that stay green year round. What do you recomm... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Rust on Amelancier Foliage in PA February 03, 2015 I live in Pennsylvania and have been plagued with a rust on my serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) trees over the past few years. I am unable to find very much information on this disease on the we... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Redwood as a Screening Tree for Santa Cruz Garden? January 20, 2015 I have a small yard in Santa Cruz, CA and we have to hide/distract from a power line. My husband is demanding a redwood. Is this sane? The space it will have to grow in is about 20x20. What species of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is it safe to burn Cedar in a fireplace? December 04, 2014 Is it safe to burn Cedar in our fireplace? I'm trying to thin out the population of Ashe Junipers on my property in Spicewood Tx. to give the young Live Oaks a chance to compete for sunlight and w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removal of thistles from Columbus TX May 20, 2014 I am sorry if you have an answer in FAQs but I could not find it. We recently cleared property near Columbus Texas of many cedars (ash junipers). This spring we experienced a profusion of thistle -... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for Ashe Juniper seeds from Blanco Co., TX March 10, 2014 I'm trying to find Ashe Juniper seeds to plant in bare areas of my property in central Texas. I understand they grow well in rockier soil and have many other benefits for native animal species. Unfo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Natural privacy hedge for Kyle Texas January 06, 2014 I am looking to make a natural privacy screen in the Kyle Texas area. I am being pointed towards Leyland Cypress by some and told to shy away from this tree by others. I found Green Giant Arborvitae a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Juniperus Toxic to Pets? October 15, 2013 Are blue rug juniper plants toxic to dogs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native Trees for Pflugerville TX September 28, 2013 I'm looking for suggestions on native, drought tolerant conifers that can be located in a Pflugerville landscape under overhead electric lines. Open to Arizona Cypress, but concerned about the height... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with Ashe juniper from Lakeway TX May 25, 2013 Dear Sir/Madam, I have been living for the last three years in Lakeway, Texas approximately 20 miles west of Austin. In my back garden there are several ashe junipers about 15-20ft tall. However... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Springbeauty in New Jersey and Dog Allergies May 11, 2013 Is Claytonia virginica in New Jersey and could my dog be allergic to it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is any part of Mountain Laurel poisonous to goats from Belton TX May 02, 2013 We are considering planting Mountain Laurel in a field where we keep goats. Will any part of the Mountain Laurel be poisonous if eaten by the goats? If it would be poisonous, could you suggest some o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shade Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Evergreen Hedge Suggestions for CT April 30, 2013 I think I am asking for a lot, but here we go… Is there a deer tolerant evergreen that can grow in the shade and create a hedge of 5 feet tall here in CT? I am not opposed to ivy covering a fence if t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Rocky Mountain Juniper Grazed by Deer April 29, 2013 I have four Colorado red cedar (Juniperus scopulorum). The deer have eaten from their height down. Now these narrow top to bottom evergreens have only tops left. Will the bottom fill in if I protect t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Horse pasture seeds from Pawling NY April 19, 2013 We are getting ready to seed an area to be used as horse pasture some time in the future. What seed mix should we use to create an organic horse pasture in Pawling, NY. Ideally there would be some wil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Memorial Tree Safe for Horses in Oregon March 28, 2013 Hi! I just lost my 33 year old beloved mare, Glory! She was my childhood horse and we have had her basically her whole life. We are looking for a special tree out in the pasture for her! She is bu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Use of free cedar mulch in Round Rock, TX March 17, 2013 Round Rock provides city residents free mulch to pick up. It is all cedar apparently. I am turning my now dead, mostly clay, very alkaline and rocky thin soil front lawn into a bigger flower bed of mo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Decorative small evergreen tree for Las Vegas NV January 06, 2013 I need a small decorative tree to be planted among a pine tree background; would prefer evergreen. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Texas wildflower guide with every flower listed November 09, 2012 Is there a Texas wildflower guide that contains every single flower that grows in the state? I have a few flowers on my land I haven't been able to identify because they aren't in the guide I have. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Male pollinator to produce berries on Juniperus virginiana from Amston CT November 08, 2012 We have planted 3 juniperus virginiana 'Glauca' (on our Connecticut property) that have a few blue berries on them. Will they need a male pollinator to make berries? We do not have other juniperus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Junipers for restoring area in Bulverde TX November 03, 2012 Are ashe or virginiana junipers for sale around the hill country? I would like to recreate the natural plant life that was bulldozed next to my home. Do you recommend any other types of juniper that ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Ground cover under Juniper for San Antonio September 14, 2012 I have a shaded area under juniper in the Hill Country of Texas that has many sprouts from the tree. We have to weed whack it to keep them under control. What ground cover could I use to enhance tha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cedar sage not blooming in pots in Austin September 14, 2012 I have cedar sage (salvia roemeriana) in containers on a dappled-shade apartment patio in Austin, TX. This is their first season here, transplanted in May (it's now September). All the plants have be... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Establishing wildflowers on a slope in Virginia August 18, 2012 From Roanoke Virginia. I have a steep bank rising from one side of my driveway to woods above. Different areas vary from full sun, to half day shade. It is possible to carefully walk/stand on it, we a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Trees for privacy screen August 08, 2012 Hello, We'd like to plant a privacy screen to hide our view of an adjacent apartment complex. Ideally the trees or other plantings might be a native species, and preferably they would eventually rea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Using a brush hog on acreage on Bear Creek in Austin, TX. July 25, 2012 We have 8 acres off 1826 situated on Bear Creek. It has open areas with scattered large trees (cedar elm, live oak, white oak). Cedars or junipers only along the the lot lines. We've been told we... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Skin allergies; is Juniper the culprit in Simi Valley, CA? July 21, 2012 My husband and I have had terrible skin allergy problems this spring (for me it's been 3 years) and think it may be the juniper bushes outside our bedroom and kitchen windows. Is there a fast growin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Restoring the woods in Central Austin. May 08, 2012 I live in Austin, south central between Red Bud trail close to the low water bridge and Bee Caves road. My question: I want to make the wooded sections of my yard attractive. They have filtered sun... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Replacing Drought-Stricken Cedars January 16, 2012 Hello, I live in Williamson County on a couple acres. We have several dead cedars as a result of drought; we're reluctant to cut them down because many of them provide a friendly barrier between us... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Are brown junipers (Juniperus ashei) dead? November 08, 2011 If the cedar/junipers in our area are brown, will they ever come back green? Or just clear them out as dead. There are many of them due to the drought. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Average lifespan of Pinchot's Juniper from Golden CO August 23, 2011 What is the average lifespan of Juniperus coahuilensis (syn. Juniperus texensis) trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are Ashe Junipers dying from mite damage in Austin? August 08, 2011 If Ashe Juniper needles are turning brown and dropping off the trees because of drought, and not disease, do the needles ever come back, or have the tree limbs died? What if the cause is mites, not ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Replacement for non-native Italian Cypress in Austin July 10, 2011 I would appreciate your assistance with some native plant options to replace Italian Cypress trees in the Arboretum area of Austin, TX. I have 12 of the trees on the north side of the house to obstru... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are junipers tainting the soil in Loveland CO? June 10, 2011 Have several varieties of junipers around my yard. Each year I try to place a small garden in a corner of my yard, the plants don't do well at all. Growing up nearby, I gardened with my parents so ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Something killing evergreens on Long Island from Baldwin NY June 06, 2011 What seems to be killing so many of the evergreens on Long Island - see more and more dying each day - doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason - can it be helped? Many thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cedar sage in container in Austin June 06, 2011 Re: cedar sage purchased at your 04/11 plant sale: it sets flower spikes but no red blossoms appear, only calyxes. It's in terracotta pot w/Ladybug soil, shady apartment patio. Soil too rich? Too muc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with Juniperus ashei in San Antonio May 27, 2011 I live in San Antonio and have many juniper trees. On inspection I do not see insects or any other form of damage, but my trees are turning brown and dying. I have already had to cut one down. When... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with spreading juniper in Sturgis, SD May 25, 2011 I live in Sturgis, South Dakota and I have two different varieties of Spreading Juniper in the yard as ground cover. They have developed an orange colored fungus that goes dormant in the winter but a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with Juniperus scopulorum in Dallas May 19, 2011 Dallas, Texas - Juniperus Scopolorum "Skyrocket" Last June I planted six, five foot tall along my chain length fence by the alley. Full sun. One died within 6 months. The soil seems to stay damp... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Browned foliage on Juniperus ashei in Wimberley TX April 03, 2011 We are in Central Texas and have native "cedar" juniper trees. One with foliage that looked brown, on close inspection, is covered with white webs. The foliage looks like it is dying. No worms a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Good evergreen screen and some shade plants for Plano Texas November 03, 2010 We live in Plano Texas. We have 15' between our house and our neighbor. We want to plant a divider/screen of something evergreen, about 6-15' (6-8' is better) and narrow, about 2-3' wide between t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Quaking Aspens in Albuquerque October 25, 2010 How do quaking aspens fare in north east Albuquerque? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) really native to the Texas Hill Country? October 12, 2010 I had heard that the Ashe Juniper was not native to the hill country or even Texas. Is this true? What is their history? They sure make it hard for the elms and oaks to thrive. We have decided to re... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Growing Native Plants in Juniper litter from Wimberley, TX October 04, 2010 Junipers create an environment under their canopy that prohibits growth of other plants. I have a virgin lot that has been cleared of many juniper but has remaining heavy natural leaf mold containing... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Green blooms on Cedar Sage in Lucas TX September 22, 2010 I have two Cedar Sage (Salvia roemeriana) one purchased from your plant sale and one from a local nursery planted in part shade in the Dallas area. They seem to be quite happy and are blooming but ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Disease of eastern red cedars (Juniperus virginiana) August 01, 2010 I have multiple Eastern Red Cedars spaced in my woods which are sick and dying. Some were transplanted years ago, others are volunteers, all are less than 4 ft tall. The foliage turns brown in vario... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting red Columbine and Cedar sage from seed in Canyon Lake, Tx. July 06, 2010 I live near Canyon Lake, Texas in the Hill Country. I would like to plant red columbine and cedar sage in the shady areas beneath live oaks and ashe junipers within the limestone soil that is there n... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native plants to attract migrating birds June 12, 2010 Can you suggest native plants that would attract migrating birds? I have a very sunny location, with very sandy soil. Thanks in advance for your answer. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Over-trimmed junipers in Shell Beach CA May 16, 2010 Help! My husband decided to "trim" the juniper bushes that are in front of our house that create a great private front yard. I guess he cut back into the dead wood and now nothing is regrowing. It'... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Source for wintergreen to make tea in Waynesboro GA April 26, 2010 I want to know where to buy a wintergreen tree to make tea from. Thanks. I live in Waynesboro,GA. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Deer-resistant, shade tolerant evergreens for privacy in Milford MI April 12, 2010 I'm looking for deer resistant evergreens that will be planted in the shade. I need the evergreens to hide an area I don't want to see from my home. Hence, they need to go tall. Can you give me a r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ashe Juniper not doing well in San Antonio April 08, 2010 A large ash juniper (mountain cedar) in my yard appears to be sick or dying. Approximately 1/4 of the canopy has very sparse needles/green foliage stuff and shaggier than normal bark. It's not brown ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Groundcovers for a slope in MA April 04, 2010 We live in Eastern MA. We have a hill behind our house that was previously mulched. Slope is 45 degrees in direct sun, clay soil. We have another hill by the road side that is partially shaded with ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen screen for newly constructed metal building March 31, 2010 Neighbor built a 12' tall metal building right by my gate. I want to screen it with fast-growing evergreen natives. I have lots of ashe juniper on my property, but none where I need it now! Can AJ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Live Christmas tree in Katy, TX March 16, 2010 My husband is really bent towards having a live "Christmas tree" in the front yard. I hate to use anything non-native so I am looking for a native Texas juniper shrub or a small tree that can be tri... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for 60 degree slope in Mobile, AL February 09, 2010 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,I live on an eroding 60 foot bluff in USDA Zone 8A, along Mobile Bay (AL). To address erosion problems we are using a gabion-style product called "Green Terramesh," which is ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Privacy screen for pool in California November 24, 2009 Hi, We have new neighbors overlooking our pool and peering into our house. We want to put up a privacy screen along our back fence that runs the length of the pool, but the border running along the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Containing roots in Kaysville UT October 26, 2009 I'm planting my yard in all native Rocky Mountain and Great Basin plants. Is there a way to halt or contain the root propagation of Smooth Leaf Sumac and Quaking Aspen? I've considered digging dow... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Weeds in Blue Rug juniper in Phoenix MD September 28, 2009 The landscaper planted Blue Rug Junipers around the Helleri Holly and Yews in front of my house ten years ago. The Blue Rug has done great and looks really nice. My problem is that weeds grow up in ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What kind of native Junipers will grow in zone 7? June 25, 2009 What kinds of native Juniper will grow in zone 7 ? (besides Juniperus scopulorum and J.virginiana). View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removing non-native juniperus x pfitzeriana in Arvada CO June 25, 2009 We have 200' of large juniper pfitzers (3' tall - 4' wide) that completely enclose our front yard. We want to remove all of them but the estimates to dispose of them have been extremely high. One... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why are my Junipers turning brown in San Antonio? May 11, 2009 My Texas mountain cedars (junipers, I know) are turning brown, limb by limb. What is the problem and how do I save what looks like a dying tree. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why are the eastern red cedars in Bastrop/Travis County turning brown? May 11, 2009 I live on the Bastrop/Travis county, TX line and have many eastern red cedars on my property. About 10 of them are dying and it has happened quickly with the onset of the warmer weather. I noticed d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identifcation of strange orange growth on shrubs May 04, 2009 I have found a strange orange ball shape with softer spikes about 1-2 in. growing from it on my shrubs, they grow around the branch. I believe they are Yews. I have never seen them before but now ther... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native shrubs or trees for privacy shield in Cross Plains TX March 31, 2009 I'm looking for a small tree or large bush that will stay green year round to use for a privacy shield. We have electrical lines overhead so I need to keep it a low growing tree or bush that will he... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flowering perennials beneath Ashe juniper. March 25, 2009 Dear Sir: What type of flowering perennial plants will grow underneath Mountain Cedar and its pine needles? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for juniper trees (Juniperus ashei) for sale December 05, 2008 Does anyone know anyone that sells Juniper trees in pots - the central Texas kind. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacing junipers on slope with wildlife garden October 23, 2008 Gradual replacement of Juniper with natives? We have a 10 foot deep slope with less than a 45 degree angle that is all covered with old, overgrown Juniper. It does not appear to serve any purpose ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Privacy screen for garden and pool in California October 13, 2008 I need a fast growing screen for privacy. Here are the issues:1. we have a 3 story apartment building looking right into our backyard. so trees need to be at least 15' tall and dense. 2. we have a po... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Privacy hedge for South Dakota August 08, 2008 Hi, I'm looking for something to use as a hedge. 8 foot or so tall offering semi privacy all year. I like dogwoods but loss of leaves in the winter makes me skeptical. Boxwood would be interesting... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Improperly prepared building site in Virginia June 24, 2008 Hi, I have a question about planting on newly-built homesite. We just moved into a new home in DC suburbs (Northern VA) and the landscape is the worst of the builder grade. There are prickly junipers ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of Ashe junipers June 04, 2008 I am trying to re-build what man has destroyed in the Kingsland/Marble Falls area on a property we own out there. I would LOVE to plant a couple ashe junipers for several reasons, a couple being: 1. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native evergreen trees or shrubs for privacy screen in South Carolina April 02, 2008 Mr. Smarty Plants, we recently lost a grove of eleven 30+ year old white pine trees in a storm this month. They provided a natural 42'x30' screen to the front of our property and home. What type o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Control of Juniperus ashei August 08, 2007 We have just purchased 2 acres in Burnet County at an elevation of 1604 feet above sea level. The land is almost flat, bedrock, with lots of Juniper, Cactus Apple and between these plants grasses and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Effects of drought and insects on junipers August 06, 2007 We live on acreage about 18 miles southwest of Austin. Ever since we moved here about 6 years ago, we've noticed that our mature Ashe junipers seem to be in some sort of decline with foliage graduall... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Juniper as host of cedar-apple rust July 17, 2007 Thanks for the helpful advice on the Eastern Red Cedar. I was wondering if you could ease my mind about a potential problem. I have read up on some of the native plants in my area in a very good book ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Viability of Juniperus ashei for making furniture June 18, 2007 My husband uses juniper from Oregon to make beautiful furniture. Underneath the ugly bark is a wonderful wood. Is this the same Juniper as we saw all around Austin, Texas. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Acidity of soil for blueberry plants May 11, 2007 We have 8 blueberry plants and we have just taken out several Juniper shrubs. How will this effect the acidity of the soil for the blueberries? Do we need to add more acidity? We heard that the junipe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Inadvisability of importing plants from one region to another March 03, 2006 I wonder if you could help me. I want to send my friends some conifer trees from England to Florida USA. I went on the Department of Agriculture site and they recommended your site for questions. Than... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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